Just So Special!!!

We're kinda crazy about him. . .

Our Little Man just 4 days old. . . He turned one week old tonight at 7:33 pm. Hard for Mom to believe he's already been here 7 days, but I don't remember life without him.

Watching From a Distance

Just one day after bringing her baby brother home from the hospital, Olivia isn't quite sure what to think of Spencer. She gives him a gentle push, but she doesn't get too close just yet.

Spencer Thomas Carico Has Arrived!!!

Our beautiful little boy, Spencer Thomas, was born Thursday, February 19th, 2009 at 7:33 pm. He weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces and was 19&1/2 inches tall. He is absolutely precious, a gift from God! We looked at him and knew his name should be Spencer! Lots more pictures to follow!

First Born

I thought I would join in the fun with this Meme about my First Born.
1. WAS YOUR PREGNANCY PLANNED?
No, but since we weren't preventing it, I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later.
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
Yes, Richard and I had been married for a year and a half when I became pregnant.
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
I was surprised and excited.
4. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
I was 28 years old.
5. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
A woman came into my pharmacy to buy prenatal vitamins and we started talking. I was a few days late and at that point suddenly everything clicked in my head. I took a test and within minutes I knew I was pregnant.
6. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
I took the test home and gave it to our Cocker Spaniel puppy, Dodger, who liked to take things out of the trash and chew on them. I asked Richard to see what he was chewing on now. Richard was the first to know, although it did take him a minute or two to realize what was up.
7. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
Yes, I wanted to have a closet full of pink or blue and a decorated room.
8. DUE DATE?
I was due Wednesday, November 22, 2006, the day before Thanksgiving.
9. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
No, I was very fortunate. I think I got sick once or twice, and it was probably due to my prenatal vitamins.
10. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
I really like peaches and cottage cheese.
11. WHAT IRRITATED YOU?
I don't remember anything in particular.
12. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?
Olivia was a female.
13. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
No, I actually was really hoping for a baby girl.
14. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN DURING PREGNANCY?
I gained about 20 pounds.
15. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
Yes, one before Olivia was born and one after.
16. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
I knew about both of them.
17. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
No, I was very fortunate.
18. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
I gave birth at Mercy Medical Center, in Nampa, ID. I work there, so the hospital stay itself is free.
19. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
I guess about 9 hours. We went in at 6:30AM and they gave me Cytotec at 7AM. My doctor broke my water at about noon, and Olivia was born at 4:49 that evening.
20. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
Richard drove me in my little, two-door Honda Civic.
21. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Richard, Dr. Julie Hughes, and four or five nurses.
22. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
I was induced, but the birth was natural.
23. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
I had an epidural at about 2pm. What a wonderful thing!
24. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
Olivia weighed 5 pounds and 12 ounces.
25. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN?
She was born on Friday, November 17, 2006 at 4:49pm.
26. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
We named our sweet girl Olivia Nichole. We both liked and agreed upon the name Olivia, not knowing how incredibly popular it actually was/is at the time. We hadn't decided on a middle name before she was born, and I didn't want to leave the hospital without a full name on her birth certificate, so we agreed on Nichole.
27. DID YOU NAME THEM AFTER ANYONE?
Nichole is my middle name.
28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
Olivia is 2 years, 3 months old.

Still My Sweetest Valentine

It almost seemed like Christmas rather than Valentine's Day at our house.

Looking over the loot from her school/daycare party yesterday, Olivia decides she made quite a haul. Olivia made the two cards in the front for Richard and me. They're going in my shoebox labeled "priceless".

Rolling her pantlegs up, she's ready to go to work opening gifts.

Clothing is always a favorite. . . for me:)

Hmmm. . . Whatever could it be?

Olivia was soooo proud of her accomplishment this evening (she built this almost entirely by herself), I just had to include this picture.

All Her Ducks (& Alligators & Bathtime Blocks) in a Row

Olivia Carico (Obsessive Compulsive???)
Nahhh, at this age, I'm calling it organizationally inclined.

Baking Valentine Cookies

I love my little sweetheart!

Olivia takes her stirring responsibility very seriously.

Mmmm. . . Like Mother Like Daughter. . .

This is my favorite part of baking cookies, too!

My 100th Post

I really, really wanted to announce the arrival of our little boy on my 100th post. I'm afraid if I wait until he decides to make his appearance, I may only get three or four posts done for the entire month of February. We (especially me) are getting very excited to meet our new family member in person. For the time being, the on-line scrapbooking must go on, as Olivia is providing me with some great material.

Let me preface this post by saying I am not writing about potty training. I'm simply sharing a cute story I want to remember.

Mornings when I have to be to work by nine are a bit rushed at our house, especially when Richard is working. My goal is to leave the house by 8:30; this usually means we are on buckled and rolling out of the garage by 8:40. This morning I was putting the finishing touches on my make-up at 8:28 when Olivia comes in and says, "Mom, come, I go poo". I tried to hide my disappointment. Going poo usually takes about 15 minutes, at least. What kind of a mother thinks to herself, "Should I just tell her to go in her pants this one time?". After all, poo at home at 8:30 AM is a guaranteed tardy at work. I patiently followed Olivia into her bathroom and could not have been more pleasantly surprised to find Jocelyn on Olivia's potty chair. Jocelyn, my favorite doll, earned a sticker for the day! Way to go Jocelyn! Yes, I made it on time to work, and on a Monday to boot.

Even Jocelyn is joining in on potty time fun!

How on earth will I ever have 2 kiddos ready for work and Miss Margie's by 8:30???. . .

A Little OCD. . . Maybe

I came home this evening to a proud little girl displaying her babies, puppies, and bunnies (8 to be exact, though my camera couldn't capture quite that many), lined up in a row on her bedroom floor. They were all ready for bed. This is not something Richard would do; I'm afraid I would.

Showered With Love

Some really, really dear friends gave Blake's baby shower last week. Thank you so much Stephanie, Rachel, and all who attended or remembered us. You made us feel so loved!

The shot on the left was taken about three weeks (I hope) before Blake arrives. The shot on the right was taken about 5 weeks before Olivia was born. I thought it would be fun to compare the two. I can see and feel quite a difference! Both shots are just before the baby showers.